Super Eagles attacker Kelechi Iheanacho has set his sights on achieving legendary status at Bursaspor, with the Nigerian forward firmly focused on guiding the Turkish outfit back to the Süper Lig.
Iheanacho has enjoyed an extraordinary beginning to his career in Turkey, netting 16 goals across his opening 12 league matches for Bursaspor, who presently command the summit of the TFF First League standings. The 30-year- old marksman has rattled the back of the net in every single league fixture he has contested, establishing himself as the inaugural player in Turkish league history to score in 12 consecutive outings.
The former Celtic and Leicester City striker moved to Bursaspor as a free agent in the summer transfer window, though he admits his immediate impact has exceeded even his personal expectations.
What has Iheanacho said about his form?
Talking to the club’s official media department, Iheanacho characterized the TFF First League as a fiercely contested division boasting immense talent, while emphasizing his determination to sustain his stellar productivity as the season unfolds.
"The First League is a really good and tough league. Incredible players are playing there. I didn’t expect to start this well. I want to show more of these performances as the season progresses," the player stated.
Despite his phenomenal individual statistics, Iheanacho maintains that capturing the league championship and securing promotion to Turkey's elite division remain his ultimate objectives.
"At the end of the day, we aim to become champions and get promoted to the Süper Lig. We want to do this, and we are playing for it," he added.
Building a lasting legacy in Turkey
Beyond the immediate ambition of top-flight promotion, the former Manchester City forward harbors dreams of cementing an enduring legacy at the club. He confessed that attaining the status of a Bursaspor icon would hold profound personal and familial significance.
"Becoming a legend of a great club like Bursaspor would be a great honour for me and my family. I hope something like that happens," he noted.
Iheanacho has already etched his name into the annals of Turkish football folklore. His strike against Muğlaspor on 15th October pushed his scoring sequence to 10 straight league games, eclipsing the previous benchmark jointly held by Galatasaray icons Metin Oktay and Saffet Sancaklı.
He subsequently prolonged that astonishing sequence during Bursaspor's 4-2 triumph over Keçiörengücü, a pivotal outcome that propelled the team to the peak of the table with 28 points amassed from 12 fixtures.
Bursaspor is scheduled to host Bandırmaspor at the Centennial Atatürk Stadium on Saturday, where Iheanacho is anticipated to spearhead the offensive line as the club seeks to defend its position at the top of the table.